Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-26
OUR WINES.
A Discussion of the Best Means TO Pre-
vent Adulteration.

At the conference yesterday between viii
culturists and legislators at the Grand
Hotel, San Francisco, Chairman Doyle
stated that the principal question was
whether the yiiculturists of this State
would insist on having pure-wine law
and the fortiication of wines with grape
brandy alone, or whether concessions would
be made that would allow Eastern wine
growers TO fortify with grain spirits.
c. A. Wetmore, Chief Viticultural Officer,
was called upon, and stated the difference
between the fertilization of wines with
grape brandy and with corn of neutral
spirits. He stated that California was the
only district in the United States that could
make pure, sweet wine. To make sweet
wine in the East they use their dry wine,
sugar and neutral spirits. He explained
that the defeat of the California sweet-wine
amendment to the fractional gallon bill
was fight between the distilling interests
of Peoria, H., and Chicago and Cincinnati.
He did not think that any concessions
would be of any benefit to the viticulturists
of this State; that if any remedial legisla-
ton ON the question is to be asked for it
must be similar in effect to that before Con-
gress at its last session-in other words, to
get permission to fortify California wines
with grape brandy without duty. He said
that the bourbon interests of Kentucky were
not opposed to the pure-wine bill or the
sweet-wine bill, only the grain spirit pro-
ducing interests. The wine-growers of
New JERSEY were also with California.
Arpad Haraszthy made inquiry as to
whether the question was the protection OF
sweet wines alone or also upon all wines
dry and sweet. On being informed it was
to include all, he thought the question
should be divided that is, he would have
two bills. First ne would have a pure
wine bill and get that through, then after
that was through, he would have a bill with
reference to the fertilization of sweet wines
He put dry wines into two classes Pure
juice of the grape; then, as concession to
Eastern producers, that with an addition of
sugar previous to fermentation. All other
wines he would tax. On Mr.. Felton's in
quiry, he admitted that it was the oleo-
margarine principle. With reference to
sweet wine similar section could be added
which would cover it. He contended that
there was nothing in the claim of the East
ern viticulturists that it was necessary to
add water to the must, but that enough
sugar could be added previous to fermenta-
ton, and that he would allow. He would
be in favor of allowing man to fortify his
sweet wines with brandy made by himself
without any tax, but he would not allow
him to sell his brandy to his neighbor for
that purpose without paying an internal
revenue tax upon il.
Professor Hilga-d, in answer to ques-
ton by the Chairman, stated that there
was no popular test by which the different
kinds of alcohol could be detected in wine.
NJ. NJ. Estee thought that the technical
points were not material to the grape
growers; the principal thing to get at was
that, if, as had been stated, there are thou
sands of gallons made at the East without
any grapes at all, the remedial legislation
desired by the growers was TO compel the
manufacture of pure wine.
Chairman Doyle stated that the COM
mittee was thankful to the Congressman
present for their explanation of the efforts
made during the last session to pass the
bills and suggestions as to future bills; also
to the others who had expressed their
views. 1t is DESTROYS to get a concensus of
the wine growers upon these questions, so
that harmonious action may be taken upon
what legislation may be attempted at the
next session of Congress.
At 1 P. NJ. the conference adjourned,
without taking any definite action. 1t is
suggested that similar conferences may be
had by other local Societies.. +. Call.